As the name implies, Real Property Leasing and Management is responsible for the leasing and management of real estate owned by Sarasota County. The department’s responsibilities fall into four broad categories:

Lease Management

The department administers the contracts for all properties leased by and to the County, where the county is acting either as the landlord or the tenant, which includes the negotiations and preparation of all the legal documents leading to the lease. Once the county enters a lease agreement, Real Property Leasing and Management monitors and manages these agreements including the tracking of critical dates, calculating rental increases, tracking tenant payment history and depositing checks.

Demolition

When real property is acquired for a public purpose such as road construction, Real Property Leasing and Management coordinates the demolition of all buildings on the land, which includes soliciting quotes or bids, ensuring that demolitions occur on schedule and that the property is maintained and buildings are secured until demolition, and develop a program to donate salvaged building materials to local nonprofit organizations.

Surplus land sale program

Occasionally, the county does not need all the real property acquired for a public purpose and it then becomes surplus property upon a declaration by the county commission. The surplus land sale program involves the outright sale or lease of this property to generate other revenues for the county. Real Property Leasing and Management administers this program in compliance with section 125.35 of the Florida Statutes and county policies.

Cell Phone Towers

Real Property Leasing and Management also evaluates proposals from cell phone carriers and tower companies for the placement of towers and/or antennas on county owned property. This process also includes a review of the proposed use of the land with the stakeholders of various county business centers and neighboring property owners. The department also drafts license agreements, obtains necessary signatures, and upon approval by the county commission, collects rents and track payments on existing contracts.

If you have any questions, contact Jeremiah Greer at 941-861-5498.